January 19, Colombo (LNW): Authorities have identified a major suspect connected to the seizure of Rs. 280 million in cash found at a residence in Kurunegala.
The suspect, known by the alias “Ran Malli,” is a notorious fugitive with strong ties to the infamous drug kingpin “Harak Kata,” a figure central to the island’s illegal drug trade.
The Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) revealed that the large sum of money is believed to be the proceeds from drug trafficking operations.
According to the Bureau, the funds were intended to be funnelled into a money-laundering scheme aimed at purchasing gemstones in Madagascar, a well-known method used by criminals to disguise the origin of illicit funds.
This seizure marks the largest amount of cash ever confiscated from a drug trafficker in Sri Lanka’s history, underscoring the scale of the operation and the sophisticated nature of the money-laundering activities.
A suspect was apprehended at the scene, and the investigation has since focused on tracking down the elusive Ran Malli, who is believed to have fled the country and is now reportedly hiding abroad.
Authorities are continuing their efforts to locate him, with international cooperation expected to play a key role in his capture.
The police are also intensifying their investigations to uncover additional connections between the suspect and the broader network of drug trafficking that spans both domestic and international borders.
